Chapter 959: The Final Word

January 17, 2004, Saturday, China time.

Eight ten in the morning.

Friday, January 16, 2004 EST.

Seven ten in the evening.

The official website of Minghu Culture suddenly displayed a large banner with a red tone—to celebrate Minghu Culture’s successful acquisition of Columbia Pictures!

Click in, there are three pictures inside, plus a very brief text introduction.

In the first picture, Qi Jie, general manager of Minghu Culture, and Alan Wilson, chairman of the board of directors of Coca-Cola, are signing at their desks. There were several people standing behind him, and the one standing behind Qi Jie was Li Qian with a smile on his face.

In the second picture, two people shake hands and exchange agreement text.

Li Qian still appeared in the photo, but his gesture was changed to one hand holding his chest and the other hand resting his chin, looking at the two people exchanging the agreement with a smile on his face.

In the third picture, Li Qian, Qi Jie and several foreigners are toasting.

The following is a short six-line text description:

At 3:00 pm on January 16, 2004, US Eastern Time, Minghu Culture Company and Coca-Cola Company of the United States formally held a signing ceremony for the acquisition of Columbia Film Company of the United States.

Qi Jie, general manager of Minghu Culture, Li Qian, art director, Alan Wilson, chairman of the board of directors of Coca-Cola, Walter Foster, vice president, and relevant lawyers and accountants of both parties attended the signing ceremony together, and after the successful signing , held a brief celebratory reception.

After the signing is completed, Columbia Pictures has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Minghu Culture.

…………

Twenty minutes later, a red-toned banner appeared on the homepage of Xunfei News——

Congratulations to Minghu Culture for its successful acquisition of Columbia Pictures!

And within half an hour that followed, several large domestic portals quickly posted related banners and slogans. As for the content reports, most of them directly pull the pictures and texts from the official website of Minghu Culture, and make simple adjustments to the texts to become their own reports.

Thirty minutes later, this news quickly exploded on the Internet!

And this is just China.

…………

At 7:30 p.m. Eastern time in the United States, the news website of the Time Warner Group took the lead in making a headline report with the headline "China's Li completes an astonishing acquisition at the level of a snake swallow".

Within 30 minutes, this news made headlines on the front pages of major news networks and portal websites in the United States. In the United States, the degree of attention to this matter is not much worse than that in China.

On the evening of the same day, many TV programs temporarily changed their production directions, and produced a special program specifically for the acquisition of Columbia Pictures.

There are programs in the direction of culture and entertainment, as well as programs in the direction of politics and finance.

At the same time, this news spread in China at a frightening speed on Saturday—after the Internet, perhaps the newspapers could not catch up, but the news of the major TV stations was very fast. Take action, grab this news urgently, and report it.

Just this morning, some people received the news after returning from running, and some people received the news suddenly while having breakfast-it is said that many people were shocked when they heard the news!

At the same time, some gossip, seemingly inadvertently, began to spread gradually in a small range on the Internet and under the Internet——

Some people say that because the U.S. government is strongly opposed to this acquisition, there are also strong voices of opposition from the public, and even within Columbia Pictures, there have always been protests against this, refusing to be sold to a Chinese company, so , Coca-Cola has been facing a lot of political pressure, and the negotiations between the two parties were once on the verge of breaking down.

Up to now, although the two parties have reached an agreement and signed a contract, it is very likely that this agreement will be rejected by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Once this is the case, the acquisition will directly become invalid, and it will be useless to sign the agreement.

Others said that it was actually not that troublesome, Li Qian had already knocked the Yankee out with money!

It is said that when the negotiation encountered resistance, Li Qian flew directly to the United States and met with Alan Wilson, the chairman of the board of directors of the Coca-Cola Company of the United States. The two took a ten-minute walk on the golf course together on Thursday afternoon local time in the United States. , After returning, the agreement was reached.

This can even be understood as a contemporary version of going to the meeting alone.

But the price is that, compared with the price at which Sony almost completed the acquisition, and Columbia’s loss-making performance for many years in a row, whether it is in China or the United States, many professional media’s assessments and analyzes all believe that the final acquisition has been achieved. The price should be between 2.6 billion and 2.8 billion, but in the end Li Qian went to the meeting alone to negotiate the signing price between the two parties, but it was as high as 3.1 billion US dollars.

In other words, in order to buy Columbia, Li Qian and Minghu Culture spent at least 300 million U.S. dollars of wronged money—of course, it is worth discussing whether it was wronged money.

Because of Colombia's continued downturn and loss of accounts for many years, it must be at a time when any resource is underestimated.

And even under normal circumstances, it is a normal business practice to pay a premium of less than 30% for an acquisition-of course, cash is always king, but turning money into an industry, especially an industry that has a certain amount of money in a certain industry Advantages and foundations, industries that can produce output one after another, are not so easy.

It is also said that in order to successfully win Columbia, Li Qian has been forced to accept the invitation of Coca-Cola's Asian image spokesperson-for Li Qian, who has never accepted any advertising endorsement, his first job The endorsement and the first advertising contract are generally considered by the Chinese advertising industry to be worth at least 300 million to 500 million! And the commercial value that his endorsement can bring is even at the level of tens of billions!

Because he is no longer a simple star or idol or singer, actor, etc., he has become a totem in the minds of the current generation of Chinese young people.

Of course, the so-called tens of billions may be an exaggeration, but there is no doubt that his endorsement can directly make a brand popular!

In short, opinions vary.

As the news spread, there was almost jubilation on the Internet, and in reality, there were countless people discussing it loudly, with joyful expressions on their faces. It seemed that Li Qian's step forward had earned a great deal of face for the entire nation.

However, some people are happy, while others are sad.

Then, there was another piece of news, from which channel it spread——

It is said that Lake Culture is conducting another negotiation with the state government, and the negotiation is even close to being completed, only the final signing is required - the Great Wall Cinemas, a state-owned theater chain with nearly 300 movie theaters and more than 600 big screens , including many of its high-quality land, will be sold to Minghu Culture at a very low price, and then merged into the Minghu Cinemas, which is being rebuilt and expanded.

But the premise is that Minghu Culture wants to buy Columbia Pictures!

That is to say, the low-price resale of the Great Wall Cinemas will be a reward from the national government for Minghu Culture to go overseas to acquire Columbia Film Company of the United States-so, Li Qian has paid for it, even if it is lost to the Americans four or five times. Billion dollars, on the domestic side, he can still eat it back in one bite.

It's just that the country's assets were just lost and given to the Americans for nothing.

Regardless of whether this news is true or false, its black-bellied conspiracy theory tone makes it naturally have the foundation to spread very easily within a certain range.

As for how many years has the Great Wall Cinemas been losing money? As for the fact that once the two parties reach a sale agreement, the money given by Minghu Culture is actually not low, and it doesn't take advantage of the government at all?

These things, people who spread some gossip will never go back and discuss them with you.

It is the only conspiracy theory of Hongguoguo.

Of course, this is all news spread in a small area.

Maybe many years later, it will still be mentioned by some people as a piece of gossip, or a legendary shady scene, but it will not have any impact on the development of things at that time.

Because, with 3.1 billion US dollars, Minghu Culture has completed the acquisition!

Columbia Pictures, one of the seven major Hollywood film companies in the United States, has a surname of Li.

…………

The gate of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Men Gang was a little surprised to see one car after another driving into the compound.

Familiar number plate, familiar car.

But today is Saturday, no work.

The car stopped in the yard, and the leaders got out of the car and walked to their offices. Of course, many people sat in the office for a while, and then got up to visit.

****The office of Zhao Sicun, the deputy director who has only been in office for more than a year, is the office that everyone is most willing to go to.

Ten thirty in the morning, meeting.

Because Deputy Director Zhao Sicun was a direct and in-depth participant in today's meeting, he presided over today's meeting over the two deputy directors who ranked ahead of him in one fell swoop.

At the beginning of the meeting, firstly, Zhao Sicun, deputy director of the government, informed everyone of the latest progress of Minghu Culture's successful acquisition of Columbia Film Company of the United States. He said that the State Council, as the competent department of the domestic film industry, should organize an inspection of several major domestic film and television companies and film and television bases together with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Commerce in the near future to show the government's support for the film industry. and film and television culture, and urged that the film and television base of Minghu culture should be included in it, and key attention and key inspections should be carried out.

Mr. Lai's speech ended, and there was warm applause in the venue. Afterwards, the other two deputy directors also gave a brief speech. Regarding the matter of the film production company, he expressed his extreme appreciation and recognition, and seconded Mr. Lai's proposal. He also said that he was very much looking forward to going to Minghu for a cultural inspection, and looking forward to having a face-to-face discussion with Li Qian and Qi Jie, the pride of the country.

One of the deputy directors also kindly said that he is a fan of Li Qian and a movie fan, and he can ask him for an autograph when the time comes, which aroused bursts of laughter in the venue.

After the meeting is over, that is, at half past eleven, everyone can go back wherever they came from.

Of course, it seemed like nothing was said at this meeting, nothing seemed to happen, it was just that the leader delivered a passionate speech, but people who have been in the officialdom for a long time, through such a useless meeting, immediately understood all the hidden things behind the meeting. Message——things are really done, Zhao Sicun's position, importance, and ranking are about to rise, and Minghu Culture has officially entered the "own people" who have privileges and should be taken care of first on ****'s side, and then Next week, we can discuss the negotiation minutes of the sale of the Great Wall Cinemas as a whole to Minghu Culture, and after discussing the sale contract, we can submit it for approval.

blah blah blah, blah, blah.

When the meeting was over, everyone went out talking and laughing, but Mr. Lai Changyi stopped Zhao Sicun, and the two walked last. Lai Changyi asked with a smile: "I didn't make it clear on the phone. Tell me again, what's going on?" ? Didn’t you say a few days ago that you’ve reached a temporary stalemate and you can only talk slowly? Why did Li Qian come over suddenly and the negotiation came to an end? The price is indeed a bit high?”

Zhao Sicun replied with a smile: "I'm also confused about what's going on! Let's just say that Li Qian and the chairman of the Coca-Cola board took a walk on the golf course, and it took only ten or twenty minutes. It's settled, but the price is much higher than the 2.73 billion that Qi Jie and the others expected."

After a pause, he smiled, and said in a low voice: "I guess, Li Qian also wanted to cut through the mess quickly! So he asked Wilson directly and spent money! It's a final decision!"

Lai Changyi nodded, raised his hand subconsciously to touch his hair on the sideburns, and asked in a low voice, "Is there any response from the US government?"

Zhao Sicun shook his head, then hesitated for a moment, leaned over, and said in a lower voice: "I called Li Qian to ask, and he told me that the US government will hand over the money to Coca-Cola for communication. gone."

Mr. Lai laughed when he heard the words, "Let me just say, he is still a ghost! This money, as a rule, should be spent when it is time to spend it. It will last forever, and some moths will come out halfway. That's good. That's great! Anyway, Li Qian has work in hand, don't be afraid, you can earn back by making two more movies!"

Zhao Sicun laughed when he heard this.

At this time, Mr. Lai said: "You know him well, let's make an appointment some other day, let's drink together and get in touch with each other! He is now a master figure, and the Golden Bear Award in Berlin is the face of our domestic movies! Our **** is the supervisory unit, and the relationship with him is mutual cooperation, not confrontation! Tell him, don't be so reluctant to go to the yamen, you can have friends in the yamen!"

Zhao Sicun smiled and agreed, and said: "Okay, I'll tell him later! If he knows that you asked him to drink, come here!"

Lai Changyi laughed haha ​​upon hearing this.

…………

Time goes back to a day ago.

January 15, 2004, 10:03 AM EST.

A group of three five-star hotel luxury concierge cars drove into a golf course on the outskirts of Atlanta.

When the car stopped, Li Qian, Qi Jie and others got out of the car and were welcomed by Walter Foster, the vice president of Coca-Cola Company. After entering the golf course, Li Qian met Wilson.

Wilson has typical western politeness, while Li Qian is very direct.

He straight up said he couldn't play golf and just wanted half an hour to talk.

As a result, all the entourage, including Qi Jie, Walter Foster, and a senior vice president of Morgan Stanley, followed behind by more than a dozen steps, while Li Qian and Wilson walked in front , chatting while walking.

As a white American, Wilson was considered tall, but Li Qian was tall and straight. From a distance, he was still a few centimeters taller than him.

Moreover, Wilson's figure was uncontrollably old and bloated, but Li Qian stood there like a straight tree.

The specific content of the conversation is unknown except for the two of them.

Li Qian said, "You have held it for almost twenty years, and you have been losing money. Sell it!"

Wilson smiled, "I appreciate your oriental straightforwardness, but we already have a professional team negotiating, don't we?"

Li Qian said: "Your psychological bottom line, I don't want to ask any more. Your current quotation is 2.8 billion US dollars, and I will give 2.8 billion US dollars!"

Wilson shook his head, "Our Asian region still lacks a spokesperson."

Li Qian also shook his head, "That's 2.9 billion!"

There was a look of obvious surprise on Wilson's face, "Li, can I understand that you are asking a price of 100 million US dollars for your own endorsement fee?"

Li Qian looked at him and said nothing, "So? How much do you think my endorsement is worth?"

Wilson looked up at the sky, thought for a while before answering, "I will offer 200 million US dollars, or 400 million Chinese yuan, and you will be the spokesperson for all Coca-Cola products in Asia for three years."

After a pause, he gestured with a sincere smile on his face, "Our president of Asia told me that as long as you promise, he is willing to pay the money."

Li Qian nodded, "Okay, then three billion dollars!"

Wilson spread his hands, "Wow, Lee, you surprised me!"

Li Qian smiled, "I came here with sincerity, and I hate long negotiations."

Wilson shrugged.

"The U.S. government will not agree to the sale of Colombia. You know, this will damage the international image of the United States. For the government, selling a very powerful domestic film company to foreign investors is also a very big deal. Unacceptable cultural frustration."

"It's just that a very small group of people in the government have different opinions! And I strongly suspect that those people only spoke out at your invitation."

Wilson laughed.

"Li, you are indeed an artist, and I admire your imagination."

Li Qian smiled, "For $3 billion, to sell a company that has been losing money for years, isn't it worth sending someone to Washington?"

Wilson hit the ground with a golf club, smiled and shook his head, "Lee, the US government is not what you think. We don't have much influence on Capitol Hill and the White House."

Li Qian stopped suddenly, "Then, if we fail to negotiate today, when I leave, this negotiation will be declared broken down immediately."

Wilson looked surprised, and immediately frowned, "Are you threatening me?"

Li Qian nodded with a sincere attitude, "Yes, I'm threatening you!"

Wilson looked up, with a look of rage on his face.

Li Qian looked at him calmly.

Suddenly, he said, "3.3 billion dollars, let's make a deal, and I'll be in charge of getting the White House!"

Li Qian shook his head, "Three billion dollars, you come to fix the White House!"

Wilson spread his hands and shook his head.

"Lee, I know your embassy has been operating in Washington, so I believe you must have understood the greed of American politicians!"

Li Qian thought for a while, then nodded, "Add fifty million, three billion and fifty million!"

Wilson looked hesitant and shook his head, "3.2 billion! You know, some political resources, once consumed, cannot be used again! And your acquisition of Colombia is a cultural invasion of the United States!"

After a pause, he said excitedly: "Others can't see it, but I can! Li, we are not fools! I understand what you are going to do when you buy Columbia!"

Li Qian smiled, "Alan, you are blackmailing me!"

Wilson shrugged, "I don't bother to talk to you anymore", but then he said, "Well, three billion one billion dollars, no less! Even if I'm blackmailing, but, Li, you have to Do not accept this extortion! The U.S. government, I can play it, but you can’t!"

Li Qian pursed his lips, thinking deeply.

Immediately, he nodded, "Okay, just 3.1 billion dollars! I accept this extortion!"

Wilson laughed, opened his arms, hugged Li Qian, and looked back at the group of nearly twenty people following him, then smiled at Li Qian: "Come on, Li, I know, Columbia is in our hands. Here, it is losing money year after year, but once it comes under your control, it will soon become a gold mine, right? You are a great artist, and a great oriental magician!"

Li Qian smiled, "However, you still made a very good deal!"

After a pause, he shook his head and sighed, and said, "Using the US government to put pressure on me, aren't you afraid that I'm going to pat my ass and leave?"

Wilson was furious, "Oh, Lee, you can't say that! This is slander!"

…………

Three minutes later, the two reached the top of the golf course and started walking back.

Seeing this, a large group of people stopped at the bottom of the slope and waited.

When they approached, everyone heard that the two seemed to be arguing about something, and when they got closer, everyone heard clearly that Wilson seemed to be inviting Li Qian to write a promotional theme song for Coca-Cola China, but Li Qian seemed to be It was a direct rejection, and Wilson was complaining that he was not enough friends.

When he walked in front of a large group of people, Wilson smiled and announced: "Columbia will be sold to Li's Minghu Culture Company at a price of 3.1 billion U.S. dollars!"

***

Six thousand words, don't break the chapters, just smash them out!

I made an oolong yesterday, but today is the end of October, and there are really less than 30 hours left. Brothers, there is still a little over a thousand short of 10,000 monthly tickets. Let’s dig through our pockets, and finally Time to play "Perfect Life"!

Come on, just tear up the monthly pass and have fun!